Android How to: Switch Media Apps in Android Auto

Android Auto is Google’s alternative to the car-makers infotainment system, and it runs off of your smartphone. The best way to explain it is that it’s like plugging your laptop into a monitor. That’s basically what you’re doing with your smartphone, and it’s running on the 6-7 inch display in your dashboard. Currently there are a number of apps available for Android Auto, but they are mostly media apps. While Android Auto does also include support for messaging apps, there’s not much that can be done with those just yet. Through Android Auto, you’re able to stream audiobooks, podcasts and even music. But how exactly do you switch between apps like Spotify, Google Play Music, Pocket Casts and others? That’s what we are here to explain today.

It’s quite simple actually. The fourth button from the left, on the bottom of the Android Auto screen gives you access to your media apps. The icon looks like a pair of headphones, making it easy to see. Now if you have more than one media app installed you’ll see an arrow that shows you there are options for the apps that can be used. Simply tap the headphone icon once again and you’ll see a list of apps that are installed on the smartphone that is connected to the car. From there you can select your app that you want to use. And if you have four or more apps installed, there will be a scrollbar. Allowing you to go through the entire list of apps installed. Just tap on the app you want and boom, you’re all set.

As you can see, it’s really quite simple to choose between different apps to listen to in the car. There are many apps included with Android Auto support, including Spotify, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Pocket Casts, Google Play Music, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Radio and many others. There will be plenty more coming to Android Auto pretty soon, as more and more developers begin adding in support for Android Auto, which Google does approve each app. Mostly to be sure that the app is safe and makes sense for using in the car.